Trim cap structure for a curtain wall mullion



May 11, 1965 R. A. FERRELL.

TRIM CAP STRUCTURE FOR A CURTAIN WALL MULLION Filed Feb. 20, 1962INVENTOR.

EUSSQL AFfR/PELL BY United States Patent 3,182,766 TRIM CAP ESTRUCTUREFOR A CURTAIN WALL MULLION Russell A. Ferrell, Pittsburgh, Pa., assignorto H. H. Robertson Company Filed Feb. 20, 1962, Ser. No. 174,590 6Claims. (Cl. 18934) This invention relates to a trim cap structureadapted to be secured to the vertical mullions of a curtain wall and,more particularly, to a trim cap structure that extends outwardly fromthe vertical mullion for a distance greater than normal. i

To add to the aesthetic presentation of a curtain wall, it is oftendesirable that selected ones of the trim caps of the vertical mullionsbe extended outwardly for a distance greater than normal. The resultingtrim cap structure must of necessity be strong enough to sustain theprevailing wind loads without adding a considerable amount of structuralmetal. Further, each trim cap structure should be alignable in spacedparallel relation with the other outwardly extended trim caps. Stillfurther, it must have an aesthetically pleasing exterior appearance.

Accordingly it is the primary object of this invention to provide a trimcap structure that has an aesthetically pleasing exterior appearance.

Another object of this invention is to provide a trim cap structure thatmay be aligned in spaced substantially parallel relation with the othertrim cap structures of the present invention.

Still another'object of this invention is to provide a trim capstructure that may be quickly and easily erected.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a trim cap structurethat has a minimum number of exposed fasteners.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from the following detailed description by reference tothe accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a curtain wall assemblywherein the present trim cap structure is installed;

FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 22 of FIGURE 1and illustrating the component parts of the present trim cap structure;

FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of FIGURE 2further illustrating the present trim cap structure; and

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view, on an enlarged scale,illustrating the connection between the facing sheetsof the present trimcap structure.

Referring to FIGURE 1, there is illustrated a curtain Wall comprisingthe exposed wall of a building. The curtain wall 10 includes a pluralityof vertical mullions 12 and a plurality of horizontal muntins 14.Positioned between the vertical mullions 12 and the horizontal muntins14 are glazing 16 and decorative panels 18. The vertical mullions 12 andthe horizontal muntins 14 are covered by means of trim caps 13 andrespectively which give a finished appearance to the curtain wall 10.

Secured to selected ones of the vertical mullions 12, are the trim capstructures 20 of the present invention. The trim cap structures projectin outboard relation with the curtain wall 10. Extending between andconnecting the adjacent trim cap structures 20 are platforms 22. Theplatforms 22 comprise in part a means for aligning the trim capstructures 20 in spaced parallel relation with each other. The platforms22 preferably are positioned at the top of the glazing 16 so that theydo not obstruct the view of the occupants of the building.

A typical construction of the curtain wall is illustrated in FIGURE 2.The vertical mullion 12 as herein shown comprises a rectangular bodyportion 23 having a pair of laterally extended rear flanges 24 and anoutboard end 25. The trim cap structure 20 is shown secured to theoutboard end 25. The horizontal muntins 14 project laterally from andare secured to the vertical mullion 12. The glazing 16 is positionedbetween the vertical mullion 12 and the horizontal muntins 14. Theglazing 16 is retained in place by means of fixed glazing beads 26 whichabut the inner surface of the glazing 16 and which are secured to thevertical mullion 12 by means of bolts (not shown). The external means bywhich the glazing 1'6 is retained in place will be described later inthis specification.

The vertical mullion 12 has been specifically illustrated in FIGURE 2but it should be understood that the present trim cap structure may beadapted to be secured to the vertical mullions of other types of curtainwall constructions. As for example, the vertical mullions illustrated inUS. Patents 2,885,040; 2,901,785; 2,914,145; 2,916,108 and 2,944,641.

The trim cap structure 20 will now be described by reference to FIGURES2, 3 and 4. In general the trim cap structure 20 comprises a supportmember 28, a corrugated structural element 30, a plurality of facingsheets 32, 32 and a cap member 34.

Those of the vertical mullions 12 which are not provided with the trimcap structure 20 of this invention are instead provided withconventional trim caps 13 as in conventional curtain wall assemblies.The support member 28 is not required in those ones of the verticalmullions 12 which are equipped with the conventional trim caps 13.Instead the trim caps 13 are secured in outboard relation to thosevertical mullions 12 thus equipped by any convenient means, e.g., assuggested in the aforementioned Patents 2,885,040; 2,901,785; 2,914,-2,916,108; and 2,944,641. The manner in which such conventional trimcaps 13 are secured to the vertical mullions 12 forms no part of thispresent invention which instead is concerned with the improved trim capstructure 20 and the platforms 22.

Support member 28 The support member 28 comprises a substantiallyC-shaped inboard portion 36 having a support web 38 arid support legs40. A pair of spaced vertical outboard flanges 42 is provided on thesupport web 38. The C-shaped inboard portion 36 embraces the outboardend 25 and is secured thereto preferably by means of bolts 43.

A transverse L-shaped flange 44 is provided on the inboard ends of thesupport legs 40. The L-shaped flanges 44 abut the outer surface of theglazing 16 and provide the aforementioned external retaining means.

A stiifening element 46 is secured to each side of the rectangular bodyportion 23 and extends outwardly between the outboard end 25 and thesupport legs 40. The stiffening elements 46 extend vertically betweenthe horizontal muntins 14.

It should be understood that the configuration of the C-shaped inboardportion 36 may be changed in order to adapt the support member 28 tovertical mullions having other shapes. I I 1 Corrugated structuralelement 30 element 30 also has an inboard edge 50 and an outboard edge52 (see FIGURE 2). The inboard edge 50 is positioned between the spacedflanges 42 and secured therein 3 by means of bolts 54 extending throughthe flanges 42 and the crests 4'7.

Facing sheets 32, 32

The facing sheets 32, 32 preferably comprise extruded aluminum elementsand are of two types. Namely, intermediate facing sheets 32 and endfacing sheets 32'.

Generally, the intermediate facing sheets 32 comprise a substantiallyU-shaped element having a web 56 and a pair of legs 57, 58' which dependinwardly from the web 56. The intermediate facing sheets 32 arepositioned on the corrugated structural element in vertically alignedabutting relation. The facing sheets 32 include connecting means 59which is illustrated on an enlarged scale in FIGURE 4. As can be seen,the leg 57 is provided with a flange 69 which extends substantiallyperpendicular therefrom and outwardly of the facing sheet 32. The flangeso is secured to the crests of the horizontally disposed corrugationspreferably by means of bolts 61. The web 56 is provided with a webextension 62 on one side thereof which projects beyond the leg 57. -Aridge 64 is provided on the inner surface of and adjacent to the end ofthe web extension 62. A groove 66 is provided at the intersection of theweb 56 and the leg 58.

As can be seen in FIGURE 4, the web extension 62 overlaps a portion ofthe web of the adjacent facing sheet whereby the flange 6t and the bolt61 are hidden from external view. Furthermore, the ridge 64 isengageable in the groove 66 whereby the exposed surfaces of the facingsheets are coplanar.

The end facing sheets 32, have a somewhat different configuration.Specifically, the leg 57 together with the flange 6% of the intermediatefacing sheets 32 are missing. In their place a pair of spaced bosses 68is provided on the inner surface of the Web 56. The spaced bosses 63maintain the web 56 in coplanar relation with the webs Stiof the otherfacing sheets '52. A bolt 70 secures the facing sheet 32' to the supportleg and the stiffening element 46.

As can be seen in FIGURE 2 the facing sheets 32, 32 enclose both sidesof the corrugated structural element 30.

Cup member 34 The cap member 34 comprises a substantially U-shapedelement which encloses the outboard edge 52 of the corrugated structuralelement 30. The cap member 34 has a cap face 72 and cap webs 74. Aninwardly offset flange 76 is provided at the ends of the cap webs 74.Also a leg extension 78 having a ridge 80 on its inner surface isprovided at the end of the cap webs 74. The inwardly offset flange 76and the leg extension 78 with the ridge 80 of the cap member 34correspond in shape and function with the flange and the web extension62 with the ridge 64 respectively. Hence the bolt 61 secures theinwardly offset flange '76 to the crests 47 of the corrugated structuralelement 3%. The leg extension 78 overlaps a portion of the web 56 withthe ridge engaged in the groove 66.

In order to properly position the cap member 34, a plurality of spacermeans 82 are provided. The spacer means 82 comprise a channel shapedelement 84 secured to the outboard edge 52 of the corrugated structuralelement 30 by means of bolts 86. A spacer plate 88 is secured to thechannel-shaped element 84 and includes spacing lugs 90. Thus when thecap member 34 is positioned over the outboard edge 52, the spacing lugs9t abut the inner surface of the cap face 72 and maintain the cap member34 in spaced relation with the corrugated structural element 39.

An object of this invention is to provide a trim cap structure having aminimum number of exposed fasteners. As can clearly be seen in FIGURE 2,the only fasteners which are exposed are the fasteners 70. The otherfasteners are hidden from external view by the overlapping configurationof the connecting means 59.

4 Platform 22 Referring to FIGURE 2, the platform 22 preferablycomprises a lightweight grid-like structure.

First fastener elements 5 2 secure one end of the platform 22 to theadjacent trim cap structure. Second fastener elements )4 secure theother end of the platform 22 to the other trim cap structure.

The first fastener element 92 comprises an internally threadedcylindrical spacer 96 secured between and to the platform 22 and thefacing sheets 32, 32 preferably by means of bolts 98. The first fastenerelement 92 maintains the platform spaced from one of the trim capstructures.

The second fastener element 94 comprises an internally threadedcylindrical spacer 10%) which is somewhat shorter than the spacer $6.Spacers 160 are secured to the facing sheets 32, 32 preferably by meansof bolts m2. A number of washer element 104 are positioned between thespacer flit) and the platform 22. Bolts 102 extending through the washerelements we secure the spacer 100 to the platform 22. Hence the secondfastener element 94 is extensible. By providing the proper number ofwasher elements 164, the next-in-line trim cap structure may be forcedtoward or away from the previously erected trim cap structure. Hence thetrim cap structures are aligned in spaced substantially parallelrelation with each other.

I claim:

1. A vertical trim cap structure secured to the vertical frame elementsof a curtain wall in aligned relation therewith, comprising:

a support element secured along the vertical frame elements of saidcurtain wall and having a pair of spaced vertical outboard flanges;

a corrugated structural element vertically aligned with the said supportelement and having horizontally disposed corrugations, said corrugatedstructural element having an inboard edge thereof secured between thesaid spaced flanges;

a plurality of vertical facing sheets secured to and enclosing bothsides of the said corrugated structural element; and

a cap member secured to and enclosing the outboard edge of saidcorrugated structural element.

2. The vertical trim cap structure of claim 1 wherein the said facingsheets comprise substantially U-shaped elements having a web definingthe exposed wall of the said facing sheets,

a pair of legs depending inwardly from the said web, the leg of onefacing sheet abutting the leg of the adjacent facing sheets,

a flange extending substantially perpendicular from one of said legs,said flange being secured to the said horizontally disposed corrugationsof said corrugated structural element, and

a web extension projecting beyond the said one of said legs andoverlapping the web of the adjacent facing sheet whereby the said flangeis hidden from external view.

3. The trim cap structures of claim 2 including:

a groove in said facing sheet at the intersection of the said web andthe other of said legs, and

a ridge on the inner surface of and adjacent the end of the said webextension, said ridge being engaged in the said groove whereby theexposed surfaces of the said facing sheets are coplanar.

4. In a curtain wall structure having a plurality of laterally spacedvertical mullions, an outwardly extended vertical trim cap structuresecured to selected ones of said vertical mullions, and alignment meansfor maintaining the said trim cap structures in spaced substantiallyparallel relation, the improvement in said alignment means comprising:

a platform extending between adjacent ones of said trim cap structures,

said platform extending in outboard relation to those ones of saidvertical mullions which are not provided with an outwardly extendedvertical trim cap structure,

first fastener elements securing one end of the said platform to theadjacent trim cap structure, and

second fastener elements securing the other end of the said platform tothe other trim cap structure,

at least one of said fastener elements being extensible whereby thelateral spacing of said adjacent ones of said trim cap structures may bevaried.

5. In a curtain wall structure, the combination comprising:

a plurality of spaced vertical mullions;

vertical trim cap structures, one each secured to selected ones of saidvertical mullions and extending outwardly therefrom for a substantialdistance; each of said trim cap structures comprising:

a support element secured alongthe vertical frame elements of saidmullions and having a pair of spaced vertical outboard flanges,

a corrugated structural element vertically aligned with said supportelement and having horizontally disposed corrugations, said corrugatedstructural element having an inboard edge thereof secured between saidspaced flanges,

a plurality of vertical facing sheets secured to and enclosing bothsides of said corrugated structural element, and

a cap member secured to and enclosing the outboard edge of saidcorrugated structural element;

at least two vertically spaced platforms extending between adjacent onesof said trim cap structures;

said platform extending in outboard relation to those ones of saidvertical mullions which are not provided with an outwardly extendedvertical trim cap structure,

first fastener elements securing one end of said platforms to the facingsheets of one of said adjacent trim cap structures; and

second fastener elements securing the other end of said platforms to thefacing sheets of the other of said adjacent trim cap structures;

at least one of said fastener elements being extensible whereby saidadjacent trim cap structures may be brought into parallelism.

6. In a curtain wall structure, the combination comprising:

a plurality of laterally spaced vertical mullions;

a trim cap member secured to at least half of said vertical mullions;

a vertical trim cap structure secured to the remaining ones of saidvertical mullions and extending outwardly therefrom for a substantiallygreater distance than said trim cap members;

at least two, vertically spaced platforms extending adjacent to one ofsaid trim cap structures;

said platform extending in outboard relation to those ones of saidvertical mullions which are not provided with an outwardly extendedvertical trim cap structure,

first fastener elements securing one end of said platforms to one ofsaid adjacent trim cap structures; and

second fastener elements securing the other end of said platforms to theother of said adjacent trim cap structures;

at least one of said fastener elements being extensible whereby the lastto be erected trim cap structure may be brought into parallelism withthe previously erected trim cap structure.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,835,933 5/58Evans 20-12 2,864,131 12/58 Piper 2012 2,930,096 3/60 Haber 2513l3,057,444 10/62 Walberg 189-34 3,071,215 1/63 Gall 189-34 RICHARD W.COOKE, IR., Primary Examiner.

1. A VERTICAL TRIM CAP STRUCTURE SECURED TO THE VERTICAL FRAME ELEMENTSOF A CURTAIN WALL IN ALIGNED RELATION THEREWITH, COMPRISING; A SUPPORTELEMENT SECURED ALONG THE VERTICAL FRAME ELEMENTS OF SAID CURTAIN WALLAND HAVING A PAIR OF SPACED VERTICAL OUTBOARD FLANGES; A CORRUGATEDSTRUCTURAL ELEMENT VEERTICALLY ALIGNED WITH THE SAID SUPPORT ELEMENT ANDHAVING HORIZONTALLY DISPOSED CORRUGATIONS, SAID CORRUGATED STRUCTURALELEMENT HAVING AN INBOARD EDGE THEREOF SECURED BETWEEN THE SAID SPACEDFLANGES; A PLURALITY OF VERTICAL FACING SHEETS SECURED TO AND ENCLOSINGBOTH SIDES OF THE SAID CORRUGATED STRUCTURAL ELEMENT; AND A CAP MEMBERSECURED TO AND ENCLOSING THE OUTBOARD EDGE OF SAID CORRUGATED STRUCTURALELEMENT.